A/N: Hey Readers,

It came to my notice that the chapter 4 of this story had a publishing error. I have another Jily story and the chapters got mixed. If you're a regular reader, I'd request you all to reread the new chapter 4 I uploaded on 20th March 20, if you haven't done so already. The story would make a lot more sense. Don't forget to drop your opinions in the reviews.

Stay safe and healthy!

Thanks!

-JT


James was sitting in the corridor window arch near the courtyard. His friends had also joined him on the beautiful morning of Saturday. The cool breeze and sepia coloured leaves were choreographing a dance of their own. The warmth in the air had evaporated into the sky. The day was calming and peaceful, as students enjoyed a much-needed weekend outside.

"What're we doing for your birthday?" asked James, looking over at Sirius. Sirius responded with a shrug. "You ought to be the only person I know who doesn't like their birthdays," mumbled James.

"I don't like my birthdays either," said Remus, shaking his head.

"Why?" cried James, throwing his hands in the air. "What's there not to like?"

"What's there to like?" Sirius questioned back.

"Tell me, if you never celebrated your birthdays with your family?" asked James.

"Never," replied Sirius, shaking his head.

"Well, you're celebrating with us," announced James, ruffling his own hair.

"What did you do for your birthdays at home?" asked Peter, sitting at the edge of the arch. But James didn't pay attention to the conversation anymore, his attention had shifted.

He saw Evans bending in front of a first year Hufflepuff student, looking at something in his hands. James squinted his eyes to look at what Evans was looking at. But they were too far away. James noticed the way Evans laughed, her eyes glistening.

"What're you smiling at?" asked Sirius, shoving James. James hadn't realised he was smiling until Sirius had pointed out.

He cleared his throat, turning his attention back at his friends. "Nothing," he mumbled.

From the corner of his eyes, he noticed the blond fourth year Gryffindor Luke Bell. He was walking down the corridor towards them. Luke wasn't a fan of James, because it was James's selection in the Quidditch team that marked his exit. James didn't like Luke, because he had insulted James before the trails.

"Look," whispered James, jerking his head in Luke's direction. A smirk grew on Sirius's face.

James pulled out his wand from the pocket of his jumper. He kept his hand steady by his side. As soon as Luke passed by the boys, James used a simple tripping jinx on Luke. It seemed as if something had caught Luke's ankles, or he had tripped over his own feet. He came to a halt when he fell flat on his face.

James and Sirius roared with laughter, Peter joining them. Remus only chuckled, but recomposed his face. James put his wand back in the pocket of his jumper.

"I wonder if this is why he got left out of the Quidditch team this year?" asked Sirius with amusement. "Can't even walk on solid floor, how can he fly on a broomstick?"

Luke's face had turned red as he glared at them. But it was hard to tell if he was turning red because he was angry or embarrassed. The whole corridor seemed to laugh on him. He sprang up, dusting off the dirt on his trousers. "Potter!" he yelled, pulling out his wand.

"What?" asked James, rolling his eyes. He jumped down from the arch of the window. Stepping close to Luke, James puffed out his chest, crossing his hands in front of his chest. James was almost as tall as Luke.

"Stop being childish," said Luke from between his teeth. James noticed the way Luke swallowed in hard and it made James wonder if he had stepped out of line. After all, Luke hadn't insulted him in front of the whole school.

"Fine," mumbled James, running his fingers through his hair once again. He took a step back.

Luke and the rest of the students looked at James in bewilderment. He noticed his friends exchanging glances, as James walked back to them. James gave them a shrug. If Luke wasn't going to take it further, neither would he.

As students started dispersing, James noticed Evans once again. This time she was looking at him. Her nose scrunched in disgust, as she eyed him up and down. James let out a sigh and turned his face away from her, lips pressed together.

It was Remus's first full moon transformation with his friends. They followed him and Madam Pomfrey under the invisibility cloak in the dead of the night.

James's heart clenched every time he saw his friend's pale and pained face. A frown had permanently settled on James's lips since the past few days. Remus's full moon transformations weren't only on the full moons. They started a few days earlier from the D-day and lasted a few days after it.

Remus would stop eating because the scent of every ingredient in the food would be too strong for him. So strong, that it made him gag. He needed peace in the room, because too much buzzing would give him a headache. Not that he complained. Remus seemed to snap at the oddest times, but never when needed. His body was always tired and drained, and he fell asleep as soon as he sat down.

Remus glanced back and though he couldn't see his friends, he smiled. James knew the smile was for them. He could feel a lump forming at the back of his throat. Even in pain, Remus managed to smile for his friends.

When they reached the Whomping Willow, Madam Pomfrey prodded the small knot at the base of the tree's trunk. It came to a halt, allowing entrance to them. The three boys moved swiftly behind them, making no noise.

"Wait for me outside the Willow," Madam Pomfrey instructed Remus. They'd reached the Shack. Supposedly the most haunted building of Britain and to think the angry ghost was in fact Remus.

"Yes," Remus choked out through the pain, giving a weak nod.

Madam Pomfrey gave Remus an apologetical smile, as she made her way out of the shack. The three boys stayed hidden under the cloak until her footsteps disappeared.

"You all should leave too," said Remus as his friends appeared out of what seemed like thin air. "There isn't much time left."

"We'll be waiting right outside," said James, extending his hand towards Remus. He gave his shoulder a light squeeze.

"You're going to be alright," remarked Sirius as he gave Remus a sharp nod.

"Yes," squeaked Peter, "Don't worry, we're here for you."

Minutes ticked by as the boys waited outside the Willow in the dead of the night. Somewhere nearby, James could hear the crickets. Apart from that, there was no sound. There was occasional rustling of the leaves, which made Peter jump. Sirius had a firm grasp holding Peter to his place.

"We ought to do something for Remus," Sirius started, looking over at James. "We aren't helping him; we're only sitting here."

"I agree," said James, with a sharp nod. "I've been thinking something."

"What?" Peter squeaked. He jumped again when the leaves rustled.

"I've read that Werewolves only harm humans," mumbled James. He put his hand on Peter's thigh, patting it to calm him down.

"Yes, they don't hurt animals or fellow werewolves," agreed Sirius, nodding. "What are you saying?"

"What if we go with Remus?" as soon as the words left James's lips, both Peter and Sirius's eyes widened. "We can transfigure into animals," James added.

"An Animagus?" exclaimed Sirius. When James nodded, he broke into a smile. "Brilliant!" said Sirius, "But mate, it's not that easy."

"I know, but we can do it," assured James with a shrug.

"We can?" Peter was hardly able to get the words out.

"Yes," replied Sirius, giving Peter a hard pat on his back, making him hunch.

"But let's not tell Remus," said James, ruffling his hair. "I don't think he'd appreciate us doing something like this."

"Of course, he wouldn't," agreed Sirius, "It's mental!"

"Let's go to the library tomorrow and look up books for Animagus," said James and Sirius agreed with him in an instant. "It's going to be bloody difficult, but so worth it."

Remus tumbled out of the Whomping Willow, his friends were on their feet to help him sit where they were sitting. James brushed Remus's hair out of his eyes.

He could see the tears at the brim of Remus's eyes. Without a second thought, he wrapped his arms around his friend as he patted his head. For a moment, Remus froze. James also noticed Sirius looking at him with wide eyes and a stunned look on his face.

Remus held onto James's arms, letting out a muffled sob. "It's going to be okay," whispered James. His arms tightened around Remus, holding his friend against himself.

"Thank you," Remus sobbed. James dropped his arms to his side once Remus seemed calmer. "Thank you all of you," said Remus, looking at each of his friends.

"We'll always be here for you," Sirius assured him with a grin.

Sitting in the potions class with Slytherins had to be a punishment in itself. But being stuck behind Evans and Snape was cruel. James had to stop himself from gagging every time they'd smile at each other when working together. They were working on The Fire Protection potion. James noticed the hint of pink on Snape's ears when Lily passed him Bursting Mushrooms.

"Snivellus looks like he would drool in his potion," mumbled Sirius. James let out a snicker.

"Snivellus?" James questioned, a smirk growing on his face. "I like it." Sirius responded with a grin.

"Thank you," Snape whispered with a smile as Lily helped him stir the potion.

"Merlin!" breathed James, rolling his eyes. "I'll get sick," he added. James looked behind himself and noticed Peter struggling with the Potion. Remus had fallen asleep in the class.

James frowned as he noticed the dark circles under Remus's eyes. He tipped his chair back and passed Peter his own book. "Do it like this," said James, pointing towards the notes he had scribbled in his book.

Peter's mouth formed an O as he let out a sigh of relief. His brows creased together and he said, "Thank you."

"If you need help, ask for it," said James. He gave Peter a smile and looked at Remus one last time before turning back to his potion.

"But aren't they perfect for each other?" asked Sirius, jerking his head in Evans and Snape's direction.

"They?" inquired James, his eyes growing wide in surprise. "I don't think anyone deserve that grease ball."

"You reckon Evans deserves better?" scoffed Sirius.

"You reckon she deserves that?" asked James. He looked at Sirius as if he hadn't heard anything more illogical.

"You're right," said Sirius, as he nodded his head. He glanced towards the two and spoke again, "Now that I look at them, I feel bad for Evans."

Snape tiptoed to look at the potion that was brewing. His face close to the cauldron. James could help but say "He ought to be careful. Grease fires are extremely dangerous."

Both Evans and Snape whipped their heads around at the same time. Snape was gritting his teeth and Evans narrowed her eyes at James. Sirius's whole body was shaking by how hard he was trying to control his laughter. James scoffed as he locked his gaze with Snape.

"Let's ignore him," said Lily, putting her hand on Snape's shoulder to turn him around. "He has a knack for bullying people," she added. The smile dropped from James's face and his brows furrowed together.

"Bullying?" he croaked, sitting at the edge of his chair.

"Yes Potter," replied Lily from between her teeth. She looked over her shoulder. Her eyes shone with such hatred that James should've disintegrated into nothing. "Hexing people because you can. Name calling, passing spiteful comments, that's your idea of fun. But that's bullying," she added before turning around.

James's jaw hit the floor. For a moment he sat frozen in his chair, as if a deer caught in headlight. "I don't bully people," James muttered, sinking in his chair.

"Ignore her mate," said Sirius, letting out a loud sigh.

That's what James did. He ignored What-was-her-name Evans for the rest of the class and the rest of the year. She'd always be around Snivellus and James liked to stay away from him. If he ever crossed James's path, neither wasted a second before hexing each other. After all, they couldn't give the other the opportunity to hex them first. James hated the way Snivellus always had his nose pressed against some book about Dark Arts. He hated the way Snivellus and his friends practiced some of what they learnt from said books. Especially on innocent students.

If James bullied students, so did Snivellus and his friends. He was furious about Evans's judgement of his character when she knew so little about him. They had never talked with each other. She had spent time with Snivellus, in fact, they seemed to spent all their time together. Yet, it never crossed her mind that he was not everything he showed himself to be?

James had no idea why it was wrong to hex Snivellus or his friends when they deserved nothing but that. As for hexing others, James did it when someone insulted him or his friends. He didn't back off to play pranks on someone, but he'd never use Dark Arts on anyone! No one had ever gotten injured by his pranks. At least no injuries that could be scarring (mentally and/or physically).

So, James and his friends ignored the greasy git and his faithful red-headed companion the whole year. Not that either of them were interesting anyway. James had a life of his own. He had three of the most wonderful friends. They had priorities like helping Remus through his full moon transformations. He had Quidditch. He was doing excellent in his classes. The greasy git and his faithful red-headed companion were the last thing on his mind.

Until the next year.

James and Sirius were making their way back from Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop. Sirius had stayed over at James's place for the last two weeks of summer, like the previous year. He seemed happy to go with the Potters to Diagon Alley to get his things for third year. James and Sirius had sent letters to Remus and Peter to meet them too. The four boys had decided to spend the last few days of summer vacations at James's house.

James and Sirius were happy to stack up on Joke items for the new school year. With the supplies they had and the new jinxes they learned; they'd be able to prank students. And hopefully, prank Filch and Mrs Norris too.

James and Sirius waited outside Flourish and Blotts. They were waiting for James's parents who were inside. "Where do you think are Remus and Peter?" asked James, as he scanned the crowd.

"I don't know mate, but they're late," huffed Sirius, pressing his lips together.

James recognized the faces of a few people in the crowd. They were his fellow Gryffindor students. He noticed Jane Clayton and Eve Ross giggling as they passed them by. Jane waved at James as she mumbled a shy "Hello." James grinned at her, waving back.

Sirius let out a chuckle, "she fancies you mate." James couldn't help but chuckle at Sirius's words as he shook his head, but his smile soon disappeared.

On the other side of the road he saw another familiar face. But the face looked different – somewhat. It was Evans, but something had changed with her over the summer. James couldn't put his finger on it. Her hair seemed longer but that wasn't such a dramatic change.

She was talking to her parents, with a twinkle in her eyes. But James had already noticed the way her eyes smiled when she was happy. James squinted his eyes, scrutinizing her face. It occurred to him then! Her face seemed to have lost a lot of its roundness over the summer. His eyes travelled south as he continued studying her.

Her clothes looked more filled out than before, especially around her chest. She looked taller, almost like an adult. The way she pushed her hair back and laughed seemed alien but not unnatural to James. And as she walked away, her skirt swung side to side.

"Were you staring at Evans?" Sirius's question snapped James back to reality.

"No – only observing," replied James, without thinking about it.

"Observing?" asked Sirius, raising his brows. "What were you observing?"

"She – looked different," huffed James, cocking his head to one side.

"Different? How?" Sirius continued to inquire. He looked at Evans, studying her in one glance before turning back to his friend.

"I don't know, I can't describe it," replied James. In all honesty, James couldn't understand why she looked different. Was it her height? Or her obvious loss of weight?

"She looks the same to me," mumbled Sirius, looking at her again.

"I am too bored," said James, letting out a sigh. That's got to be the only logical explanation about why he was even looking at Evans.

"Well, not for long," said Sirius and he jerked his head to James's left. "They're here!" exclaimed Sirius. Remus and Peter were walking towards them.

"You're late," scolded Sirius as the two boys approached them.

"Sorry, but Peter forgot his scarf at home. And he had to go back halfway through the journey," mumbled Remus as he glared at Peter.

"I am sorry," Peter apologized, looking at his feet.

"Well, you're here now," said Sirius with a shrug. He stepped closer to the two boys and whispered, "We can't wait to show you what we bought."

"You bought it without us?" cried Peter, pushing his lower lip out in a pout.

"You wanted us to die of boredom without you?" asked Sirius rolling his eyes. James scoffed at how dramatic Sirius was being.

"And I've to tell you something about James," said Sirius with a smirk. The colours drained from James's face. Was he going to tell them that James was looking at Evans? He could feel his heart in his mouth.

When Remus and Peter looked at James in amusement, Sirius couldn't hold himself back. "Jane Clayton fancies James," he announced with a smirk.

Remus let out a groan, "That's old news mate!"

"You knew?" exclaimed Sirius, his brows furrowed together. James let out a sigh of relief. He recomposed his face as quick as he could.

"Everyone knows," said Peter, nodding his head.

"How?" asked Sirius, pressing his lips together.

"She keeps glancing in his direction. And in case you haven't noticed, she is always around James," said Remus in a matter-of-fact voice. Peter squealed in agreement. James could feel heat rising to his ears, as he tried to keep a neutral expression on his face. But he could feel his lips curling upwards.

"How come I haven't noticed it?" asked Sirius, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"I reckon you're bad at noticing things," replied Peter with a shrug.

"Like you're any better than me," Sirius scoffed. James tuned out the bickering between Sirius and Peter. And without meaning to his eyes once again landed on Evans. She was exiting Scribbulus Writing Instruments with her parents. He wondered why she piqued his interest all of a sudden?

'It's because of her red hair,' James thought. They were impossible to ignore in the seas of blacks, browns and blondes. Too fiery to blend in. Anyone would notice her because of her red hair. James wasn't the only one, right?

He tore his gaze from her, keeping it on the ground. He promised himself to not look at her. No matter how much attention her unusual red hair drew towards themselves.